Nuclear and climate news in International Women’s Week

The nuclear industry took the opportunity to push itself as an equality-for-women champion. Also, in the media, parents were warned to see that their girls got STEM skills (Science Technology Engineering Maths), or else they’d be jobless dropouts.

Now I too believe that these skills are important. But I deplore the downgrading of the so-called “soft” studies, that is going on at the same time. With the crises facing the world now, surely for decision-making, we need people with knowledge of languages, history, sociology, ecology. On the health effects of nuclear radiation, and of global heating, the “soft” sciences of biology and genetics are essential. And, as social commentator Eva Cox has pointed out, the occupations with social values of caring and nurturing ought not to be downgraded and poorly paid, in comparison with the techno world and competitive occupations with macho values.

While climate and nuclear threats are the focus of this newsletter, the reality is that the planetary mess is made of many interconnecting factors, in the unsustainable economy of “endless growth”. A big reminder – investigative journalism – Planet Plastic.

A bit of good news -Farming in the Forest: A Chance to Reverse 1,000 Years of Destructive Land-Use Practices

Why don’t we treat the climate crisis with the same urgency as coronavirus?

Investigative journalism – Big Oil and Big Soda and plastically polluted Planet Earth.

The Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty – now more important than ever.The Threat of a Nuclear War Between the US and Russia Is Now at Its Greatest Since 1983.

A sceptical look at NuScam’s small nuclear reactor plans.

RUSSIA. Nuclear reactors on the sea floor – Russia’s costly problem. Russia’s Poseidon thermonuclear torpedo being tested.

JAPAN.

Negative reputation for Fukushima fishing industry – recovery is a long way away.
Work on Fukushima plant, halted during 2016 G7 summit, to continue during Tokyo Olympics. The Coronavirus Exposes Why the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Should Be Canceled. Japan may have to cancel the Olympics – a “cruise ship on land”.
Aoki, Ito and Nakamura: Radioactive Hotspots along Olympic Torch Relay Route. In Fukushima, Olympic torch relay faces cool welcome from nuclear evacuees.
Japan pushes to remove Fukushima references from U.N. exhibition. Film lauding Japan’s Fukushima heroes warns against complacency.
In pre-Olympics propaganda, Japan’s govt opens just 4% of Futaba town.

UK. Government advisers warn Britain against costly new nuclear reactors. Nuclear industry appeals for new funding model to support Sizewell C. 12 week public consultation on proposals for Bradwell B nuclear reactors. 50 years of uranium enrichment. Protesters call for Capenhurst Urenco nuclear plant to be closed down. Worker at Hinkley Point nuclear station has now developed coronavirus COVID-19. Nuclear and other toxic wastes dumped in Beaufort’s Dyke, which lies between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

USA. Investigative journalism – Deceit and Dark Money -Ohio’s nuclear subsidy saga. Dr Chris Busby exposes the facts on Cancer in US Navy Nuclear Powered Ships. Trump gives huge funding increase to nuclear agency that develops nuclear warheads. Trump’s America prepares to use low-level nuclear weapons as a “viable option“. – Russia fears. Trump picks nuclear envoy – Marshall Billingslea, formerly involved in torture program. Tennessee Valley Authority violated whistleblower protections for nuclear workers. Bill in California to call nuclear power “renewable“!.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Middle East arms race to begin, as United Arab Emirates to open world’s largest nuclear reactor?

INDIA. Westinghouse nuclear reactors – a very poor deal for India. India retains its nuclear weapons no-first-use policy.

FRANCE. France starts a series of nuclear power shutdowns.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. Marshall islanders continue their fight for nuclear justice.

SOUTH AFRICA. Strange turnaround for South Africa’s EFF leader Julius Malema – nuclear best for blacks, renewables for white elites?

PHILIPPINES. Catholic prelate calls on President Duterte to reject nuclear energy. Nuclear power a very bad option for the Philippines.

CANADA. Nuclear – a failing technology, example Canada’s risky CANDU reactors.

POLAND. Poland’s nuclear power development with USA to cost $15.56 billion.

AUSTRALIA. The demonisation of Julian Assange: Former foreign minister Carr calls on the Australian govt to intervene. Investigative journalism – Flinders University, South Australia: collusion with nuclear power promotion, Prof Pam Sykes, and the scam of “hormesis”,